flat

Definition of flat

flatter

;

flattest

1a: lying at full length or spread out upon the ground :prostrateThe soldiers were lying flat on the ground.b: utterly ruined or destroyed buildings flat from the blastc: resting with a surface against something Push the chairs flat against the wall.

2a: having a continuous horizontal surface the flat landscape of the prairieb: being or characterized by a horizontal line or tracing without peaks or depressions a flat EEG

3: having a relatively smooth or even surface a flat computer disk

4: arranged or laid out so as to be level or even maps flat on the desk

5a: having the major surfaces essentially parallel and distinctly greater than the minor surfaces a flat piece of woodbof a shoe heel: very low and broad flat shoes for work

6a: clearly unmistakable a flat denialb(1): not varying :fixeda flat rate(2): having no fraction either lacking or in excess :exactin a flat 10 seconds(3)of a frequency response: not varying significantly throughout its range

7a: lacking in animation, zest, or vigor :dullHe spoke in a flat, tired voice.b: lacking flavor :tastelessThe stew is too flat.c: lacking effervescence or sparkle flat ginger aled: commercially inactive; also: characterized by no significant rise or decline from one period to another sales were flateof a tire: lacking air :deflatedfchiefly British,of a battery:dead 3c, discharged

8a(1)of a tone: lowered a half step in pitch (2): lower than the proper pitchbof the vowel a: pronounced as in bad or bat

9a: having a low trajectory (see trajectory 1) made a flat pass that was interceptedbof a tennis stroke: made so as to give little or no spin to the ball

12a: uniform in hue or shade figures standing out against a background of flat washb: having little or no illusion of depthcof a photograph or negative: lacking contrastdof lighting conditions: lacking shadows or contourse: free from gloss : having a nonreflective finish a flat paintf:two-dimensional 3 flat characters

13: of, relating to, or used in competition on the flat a flat horse

14of a universe: having a mass such that expansion halts only after infinite time and collapse never occurs

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flat

Middle English, from Old Norse flatr; akin to Old High German flaz flat, and probably to Greek platys broad — more at place

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of flat

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities. level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon. the vast prairies are nearly levelflat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions. the work surface must be flatplane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface. the plane sides of a crystaleven applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight. trim the hedge so it is evensmooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities. a smooth skating rink

insipid, vapid, flat, jejune, banal, inane mean devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character. insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest. an insipid romance with platitudes on every pagevapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit. an exciting story given a vapid treatmentflat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest. although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flatjejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance. a jejune and gassy speechbanal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy. a banal tale of unrequited loveinane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality. an inane interpretation of the play

2

flat

noun

Definition of flat

1a: a level surface of land —usually used in plural sagebrush flatstidal flatsb: a stretch of land without obstacles; especially: a track or course for a flat race —usually used with thehas won twice on the flat

2: a flat part or surface the flat of one's hand

3a: a musical note or tone one half step lower than a specified note or toneb: a character ♭ on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a half step drop in pitch

4: something flat: such asa: a shallow container for shipping produceb: a shallow box in which seedlings are startedc: a flat piece of theatrical sceneryd: a shoe or slipper having a flat heel or no heel

About 40 percent of Midland Realty’s clients who bought flats at the development were under 30, and almost a third of them relied on funds from their parents to make down payments, said Sammy Po, the property agent’s residential chief executive.

First stratified, or readied for germination by cooling a few weeks after the seeds arrived, the seed for the big pine was planted in flats on May 17, 1945, and transplanted to the nursery at the arboretum in September 1946.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.